Both men and women can get chlamydia, an infection caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis mainly spread through sexual intercourse. The contagion with this disease can be pretty surprising since it does not always present symptoms, which causes one person to infect another without even knowing that they are a carrier of the bacteria.
Treating this infection in time is very important, especially in women, since the bacteria can cause irreparable damage to the female reproductive organ and compromise her fertility in the future, making it difficult or impossible to get pregnant. The fact that this disease is the most widespread STD globally makes many people wonder: can I have sex if I have chlamydia? In this FastlyHealarticle, we answer this question.
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Chlamydia symptoms
Given that many people infected with chlamydia are unaware that they carry the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis and, taking into account that this condition can manifest itself in a similar way to gonorrhea, it is essential to describe the symptoms of chlamydia before answering whether it is possible to have sex with this infection.
Chlamydia manifests itself differently in men and women. The chlamydia in men can experience:
- Pain and burning when urinating.
- Discharge from the penis and rectum.
- Pain or tenderness in one or two testicles.
- Pain in the rectum
The symptoms of chlamydia in women are:
- Pain when having sex.
- Burning when urinating.
- Rectal pain or discharge
- Pelvic inflammatory disease symptoms.
- Vaginal discharge or bleeding after sexual intercourse.
Can I have sex if I have chlamydia?
One of the most frequent questions among men and women infected with this disease is whether they can have sex with chlamydia and when faced with this question, doctors always make their strict order very clear: it is necessary to suspend sexual relations until the infection has been cured completely and there is no risk of reinfection. The reasons why you should not have relationships with chlamydia are:
- Symptoms worsen: Chlamydia causes discharge, burning when urinating, and pain during and after sexual intercourse. These symptoms can worsen considerably with rubbing and friction exerted during sex, and, in addition, irritation or inflammation can occur in the private parts of both people.
- Bacteria increase: fluids are exchanged during sex that moisten the remote parts of both people. It is important to remember that humidity provides the perfect environment for the proliferation of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. Therefore, this exchange of fluids during intercourse can increase the amount of chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, making it much more difficult to cure the infection.
Can I have intercourse during treatment for chlamydia?
If a person is infected with chlamydia, it is very likely that his sexual partner also; therefore, must be treated. To treat this condition in its early stages, doctors usually prescribe a single dose of antibiotic that is strong enough to eradicate the bacteria. However, when the infection has caused internal inflammation, oral antibiotics may need to be given for seven days.
After treatment, there is always the risk that the infection will recur or have not been eliminated. For this reason, specialists advise not to have sexual intercourse until seven days after having finished the treatment and even after having attended the medical consultation again to confirm that the bacteria has been successfully eradicated. Therefore, it is necessary to stop sexual intercourse during the treatment of chlamydia because if one of the people has not been treated correctly and still has the infection, they can infect their partner again.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.